HC Deb 21 March 1984 vol 56 cc503-4W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what programme of education and training in patient lifting and handling for National Health Service staff is currently provided by his Department.

Mr. John Patten

Instruction and training of NHS staff is the responsibility of the various training bodies and of health authorities themselves. The Department does not provide any training, though it has, from time to time, provided advice to health authorities on patient handling.

The curriculum for nurse learners is the responsibility of the United Kingdom Central Council and includes training in the lifting and handling of patients as does the pre-registration training of certain of the professions allied to medicine, such as physiotherapists, remedial gynuiasts and occupational therapists. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, health authorities, in common with other employers, have a responsibility for providing such information, instruction and training as is necessary to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of their employees.